The main rivers that flow through the Kashmir region are Jhelum, Zanskar river, Khurana River, Chenab and Indus. These rivers are of Himalayan origin. The other great rivers that originate from glaciers in the Himalayan region are the Ganges and the Yamuna. The river Indus originates at the Mansarovar Lake in Tibet. Some of the lakes in the Jammu and Kashmir region are Manasbal Lake, Dal Lake and the Wular Lake. Rising from a deep spring at Vernag, the Jhelum meanders northwest from the northern slope of the Pir Panjal Range through the Valley of Kashmir to the Wular Lake.

The river Jhelum flows through a long stretch through Jammu and finally drains into the river Indus. This river flows as a muddy stream and is a famous tourist attraction, especially for the nine old bridges over it.

The river Indus originates at the confluence of the Sengge River and the Gar River, that is the Mansarovar Lake in Tibet. This river traces a lengthy and tortuous course and passes through the Kashmir region. This is an excellent area for those interested in white water rafting. The riverbanks are flanked by steep hills that have pine and deodar vegetation. The Indus river flows in-between the Ladakh range and the Zanskar range. The river Indus has several tributaries, principal among them are Gilgit river, Gumal river and Kabul river.

The merging of two Himalayan rivers forms the river Chenab, these are the Chandra river and the Bhaga rivers. Thus the river Chenab is popularly known as the Chandrabhaga. This river is also well known for its historical importance.

The Manasbal Lake lies at a distance of 30 kilometers from Srinagar. Villages on all sides surround the lake. Common vegetation found in the catchment area is apple, mulberry, some Platanus and Salix trees. The Dal Lake is the second largest lake with respect to size in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This lake is very popular among tourists for its houseboats.